How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: 5 proven ways (including bypassing MIUI account)

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

MI-account

current

Many of the instructions on the network are outdated or do not take into account the nuances of the Mi 8 Pro (codename equuleus). For example, this device does not unlock through fastboot oem unlock without first linking the account to the device. FRP (Factory Reset Protection requires special tools because of the protection based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, and we will analyze all scenarios, from a simple reset to complex manipulations of the system. EDL-regime.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi resets the device to factory settings. If you haven't made a backup through Mi Cloud or locally, data (photos, messages, apps) will be lost without the ability to restore it.

1. unlocking the pattern lock or PIN-code

If you forget the lock screen password, but remember the data from the lock screen MI-account linked to the phone, use the official method:

1. Enter the wrong key 5 times until the message “Repeat in 30 seconds” appears.
2. Click "Forgot the password?» → «Restore through MI-account».
3. Enter the username and password from the Xiaomi account associated with the device.
4. Create a new pattern lock or PIN.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was bought by hand and the previous owner didn't untie his account, this method won't work. MI-account (section 3).

If MI-account is not tied or you do not remember it, try resetting your settings via Recovery:

• 🔄 Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Food before the appearance of the Mi logo.
• 📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Management – Volume buttons, Confirmation – Power button).
• 🔓 After restarting, the phone will be unlocked, but you will need to enter data from the phone. MI-account if it was tied to.

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If the sensor doesn’t work in the Recovery menu, connect the phone to charge – sometimes this helps activate the touchscreen.

2. Official unlocking of the bootloader via Mi Unlock

To install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or obtain root rights, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi allows you to do this officially, but with restrictions:

• 📅 You need to wait 7 days after linking your account to your device (the rule has been in effect since 2021).
• 📱 The phone should be on the original firmware MIUI (casteless!).
• 🔗 MI-account must be confirmed by phone number and email.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30).
2. Turn on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Unlock OEM (enable) Settings → Xiaomi Account → Link your account to your device
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in with the same account you have on your phone.
5. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually 10-15 seconds).

If the tool gives you an error, Cann't unlock or Current account is different from the account info on the device, check:

• 🔌 Cable USB (Use original or high quality).
• 🖥️ Mi Unlock Tool (older versions may not support Mi 8 Pro).
• 📡 Internet connection stability (tool checks online account).

Link MI-account to phone |Enable developer mode |Activate unlock OEM |Wait 7 days (if the account is new) |Download the latest version of Mi Unlock Tool-->

Bypassing the binding MI-account (FRP) post-discharge

If after reset via Recovery, the phone requires data input from the previous MI-There are no official ways to get around the account, but there are working methods for the Mi 8 Pro (based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845):

Method 1: Through EDL-The mode (for advanced users)

You need a PC, USB Type-C cable, and Mi Flash Pro or QFil.

1. Download the firmware for EDL (for example, equuleus_global_images_..._fastboot.tar).
2. Install Qualcomm 9008 drivers (you can use Mi Flash Pro).
3. Turn off the phone, press the volume up. + Loudness down + USB-cable (the telephone must be determined as the QHSUSB_BULK device-manager).
4. In Mi Flash Pro, select the downloaded firmware, click “Flash” and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL Use only official files for the equuleus model (codename Mi 8 Pro).

Method 2: Test mode (not working on all versions of MIUI)

If the phone asks MI-account at the stage of setting:

1. On the welcome screen, select a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. On the account entry screen, click “Another Login Method” → “Skip” (if the button is active).
3. If there is no button, type in any email, then click on the input field and hold the text until the Share menu appears. Select Messages and send an empty SMS.
4. Return to the lock screen – sometimes it resets the account request.

EDL-regime|Test mode (passage)|Through Mi Flash Pro|Nothing helped.|Another way.-->

4 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

If the independent methods did not work, contact the authorized service center Xiaomi.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport holder (if the phone is in your name).
• 📧 Access to an email linked to MI-account (if your account is your account).

The cost of the service in 2026:

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services may offer “unlock in 5 minutes” through questionable tools (e.g. Dongle boxes:

• 🔐 Spyware may be installed.
• 📉 The warranty on the device will be cancelled.
• 💸 The cost of “left” services is often overstated (up to 10 000). ₽).

5. Alternative methods: ADB and Fastboot

If your phone is unlocked but you forgot your password and Recovery is not available, try removing the key via ADB (only works if USB debugging is enabled!):

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

The Mi 8 Pro also has a Fastboot reset method (no data loss if the bootloader is already unlocked):

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img


fastboot erase locksettings

⚠️ Note: These commands only work on firmware MIUI beforehand 12.5. On new versions, lock files are stored in an encrypted partition. /data, Deleting them will result in the loss of all user data.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When unlocking the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, users face typical problems:

If after unlocking the bootloader, the phone stopped booting, try:

1. Install the official firmware via Mi Flash Pro (select Clean All option).
2. Check the integrity of firmware files (for example, through MD5 hash sums).
3. If the screen is black, but the phone vibrates, the display firmware may have crashed (reflashing through EDL is required).

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On Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro you can not (downgrade) firmware below MIUI 10.3.2.0 - this will lead to blocking due to the mechanism of Anti-Rollback.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions